Illness rates in Hillsdale County are on the rise this winter, especially for influenza, RSV and COVID-19. Please use the resources on this page as a guide for navigating the prevention and management of the most common illnesses in our community.
Frequently Asked Questions
A medical emergency is a life-threatening health condition requiring immediate action to protect an individual from disability or death. If you are currently having a medical emergency, call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room.
Examples that require emergency care: Severe bleeding, severe chest pain, poisoning or overdose, head injury, loss of consciousness, broken bones, severe burns, and allergic reactions to bee stings. If you are experiencing one of these symptoms, please visit the emergency room.
Examples that do NOT usually require emergency care: urinary tract infection, rash, headache or migraine, slight fever, sore throat, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, ear pain, dizziness, and dental pain. If you are experiencing one of these symptoms, please call your primary care office.
If you are unsure if you are having a medical emergency, call your primary care clinic to discuss your symptoms and next steps. In most cases we will be able to guide you in the appropriate standard of care and can often see you in the clinic sooner than the emergency department and at a much more discounted rate. If it is after hours, there is always a doctor on call. The doctor on call can be reached after hours at (517) 437-4451.
If you have an urgent medical need that is not a medical emergency, most symptoms can be managed by your primary care provider in your local care clinic. These action items are specific to patients of Hillsdale Hospital, residents of Hillsdale County and the surrounding areas, and visitors to our community.
- During office hours, call your primary care clinic.
- After hours, contact Hillsdale Hospital’s on-call doctor at (517) 437-4451.
- Our walk-in clinic, Hillsdale Health & Wellness, offers extended and weekend hours that may be able to accommodate your needs.
Please talk to your primary care provider about if vaccinations are right for you. However, we generally recommend getting vaccinated for influenza, RSV and COVID-19. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations.
Additional Resources
Resources for influenza:
How CDC Estimates the Burden of Seasonal Flu in the United States
Flu Illness, Flu-Related Hospitalization & Flu-Related Deaths
Flu Burden Prevented from Vaccination 2023-2024 Flu Season
Resources for RSV:
Resources for COVID-19:
Michigan Health & Hospital Association’s COVID-19 Impact Report
